Page 8 of Wilde and Deadly
“One of the many perks of the job,” I said, looking away from the view and turning to face him.
“Thank you for fitting me in today. This is the first big change I’m making since taking over and I won’t lie, it's a little nerve wracking so I really appreciate you and your team coming through for me.”
At the mention of my team, August walked in, his brown eyes landing on me before slowly moving over to take in the man standing opposite me.
“August,” I said, as he came over to stand beside Noel and I. “This is Noel Bennett, and Noel, this is our head of marketing, August West.” When August took his outstretched hand, I saw Noel’s eyes light up.
Noel held onto August’s hand a little too long for a handshake, as he made a slow appreciative sweep of August’s body. Noel was a playboy, never without someone warming his bed, butalso never settling down. I knew what he saw when he looked at August: it was exactly what I saw. I didn’t like the way he all but eye-fucked August in front of me nor the way he moved closer to the younger man. I felt a growl grow in my throat, a wolf tied up inside me begging me to let it loose.
“August, it’s really great to meet you. I’m suddenly even more excited about working on this together.” Noel smirked and I wanted to physically remove him from the room. I cleared my throat with a small cough, breaking up whatever the fuck it was that Noel was trying to accomplish and gestured for them to take their seats.
Noel, the fucker that he was, sat in the seat next to August. He angled his chair in such a way that his leg was almost brushing against August’s, and I imagined that Noel could feel his body heat and could smell his intoxicating scent. The thought made my body tense. I could feel the tension rolling off of me in waves.
My focus was so entirely honed in on this thought that I didn’t realise Noel was talking, “...….with such a tight deadline.” He finished and I had to shake my head to focus on his words.
August caught my eyes from his seat opposite me and I could see he was holding back a laugh, but he quickly cleared his expression and turned back to listen to Noel.
If we were awarded the project, it would involve us revamping the branding completely across their chain of hotels and restaurants. They wanted a new website, new brochures, billboards, and tv advertisements, as well as a range of other marketing materials. Not all of it was needed this year but there was a large chunk of work that we would need to complete. It would be hard going but we could do it.
“I wouldn’t usually take such a hands-on role in this sort of thing, but since it’s my first campaign as CEO, I thought I would be involved as much as I could.”
I understood his need to be involved and putting aside my earlier annoyance, I assured him that we could handle it.
We continued the conversation for a little longer, answering all the questions Noel had. August was impressive when he spoke about his design ideas. He showed a passion and fire I only saw from him when he was enthusiastic about a project and when he commanded me to my knees. I shook those dangerous thoughts away and turned my attention back to the meeting at hand.
Noel was attentive to everything we had to say, his eyes seldom leaving August. And while that bothered me to no end, I felt optimistic about the months ahead. This project would be huge for us and would hopefully see other hotel chains or similar companies sending business our way.
At the end of the meeting, we all stood to say our goodbyes when Noel spoke again, looking between me and August, “If all goes well, I should have a contract with you by the end of next week, after which, I would like you two to come to my Head Office in New York, if that suits you? It would be great for you to meet some of my team.”
He turned to look at August. “And you can stay in one of my hotels.” I knew his invitation was to both of us, but I bristled at the way he said that last bit to August. I knew what he was implying. I am pretty sure August did too though he didn’t show any hint of anything. He was his usual stoic self.
“Sounds great, Noel. I’ll get Daisy to make the arrangements.”
With that, the meeting was over and I still wanted to stamp my mark on August and warn Noel away. Growl and hiss and all those animal-like behaviours that seemed to work in the wild. But I had no right to do that. He and August would be working closely together and there was nothing I could do about it. The wolf inside me howled his displeasure. He was not happy.
Not. One. Bit.
Chapter 10
August
I’d heard Caleb stifle that little growl when Noel introduced himself to me. He wasn’t as subtle as he thought he was. Though I made it clear nothing would happen between us again, I couldn’t help the warmth that spread through my body when I heard it. Knowing Caleb was jealous of Noel excited me. I’d never had someone feel possessive over me before and I’ll admit, I liked it.
The way Noel made a habit of being close to me the whole meeting, brushing up against me from time to time caused Caleb to clench his teeth so much I was just waiting to hear a crack. It was both amusing and a huge turn on.
But growly caveman aside, I was staying strong, and sticking by what I had said. And as for Noel? Sure, he was gorgeous and if we’d met under different circumstances then maybe, possiblysomething could have happened between us, but it wasn’t likely, and I certainly was not getting involved with him now.
Firstly, he came off as way too dominant for my liking. I doubted he’d submit to me the way a certain dark haired MD had and I liked my men under me, willingly taking my orders and secondly, fucking a client? Nope, that would be the epitome of stupidity. Says the man who fucked around with his boss.
The contract for the Bennett Properties portfolio came through two days later, much sooner than expected, and Caleb and I’d spent hours working together on the project. Caleb was his usual charismatic self and I tried to keep my walls up around him, though he made it so fucking hard to do with his charm and his all round perfectness. And that’s not even mentioning his ass which kept calling to me like some fucking beacon in the dark.
I had moments when I could feel my resolve slipping and I was tempted to ask him out. Or, when he was sitting next to me looking over the same document as I was, I’d get this urge to lean over and lick him. I could see it playing out in my mind, the way he’d whimper as my lips traced his skin, how his body would tremble when I gripped his hips and pulled him on top of me. But then when my lusty thoughts passed, I’d convinced myself once again that it would only end in disaster, and I wasn’t willing to risk sharing my heart only to have it abandoned yet again.
Our one sexual encounter was hard to forget though, and I had to pull together all my willpower not to succumb and stroke myself at night to thoughts of Caleb naked and kneeling for me. The power he allowed me over his body was thrilling.
Last night though, as I lay on my bed after another full day of being around him, I found my willpower sorely lacking. His gorgeous face came to mind and I couldn’t push the image aside. Instead, I closed my eyes and pictured him naked and needy, his body on full display for me. My body began to burn and ache with this intense need for release, so I fed the fantasy rather thanchase it away. Behind my closed eyes, I pictured him naked, his ass in the air, his head pressed into my pillow as I fucked him with my tongue. I wanted to taste him so badly.
My breathing quickened and my dick thickened in my boxers as I ran my hand down my naked chest, over my peaked nipple and to the edge of my waistband. It was only a fantasy, no harm in it - one of the many lies I told myself. My hand dipped into my boxers, the precum dripping from my crown acting as the perfect lube as I stroked myself in a steady rhythm. I replayed the fantasy over and over, Caleb in my bed, Caleb over his desk, picture upon picture of that gorgeous man flashed through my mind until I was shaking and shuddering through my release, his name falling from my lips. I slept soundly after that, with only a tiny hint of unease lurking in the corner of my consciousness.
